Jets' Sauce Gardner Second Overall in Sports Illustrated's NFL Positional Rankings

Gang Green's second-year cornerback earns elite status from SI

© Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Sauce Gardner made his presence felt across the National Football League last year.

The 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year quickly established himself as a top-tier cornerback in the 32-team pass-happy league and Sports Illustrated's position-by-position rankings confirm that assertion.

Gardner, who carries the confidence and swagger of an emerging star, landed at No. 2 overall in SI's "The Top 10 Cornerbacks in the NFL Right Now, Ranked." Only the Broncos' Patrick Surtain II finished higher than the New York Jets' CB1.

From hearing Gardner speak recently, the Cincinnati product is gunning for that No. 1 spot.

"I'm trying to be the best," said Gardner on May 3 at OTAs. "The work that I was putting in last year, I have to take it to the next level. I'm a target now. Watching even more film, spending even more time in the weight room, spending more time to perfect my craft. I can't get complacent."

From "The Top 10 Cornerbacks..."

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Sauce Gardner, New York Jets

Perhaps this is premature, but it’s impossible not to consider Gardner already among the very best at his craft. Last year, Gardner came into the NFL with the Jets after being selected fourth in the 2022 draft, and he somehow exceeded the hype.

As a rookie, Gardner intercepted two passes and made 75 tackles, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro accolades. Going into his second season, it’s reasonable to argue the 22-year-old is already the top player at his position. 

— Matthew Verderame

Jalen Ramsey is gearing up for a big debut season with the Dolphins, while DROY Sauce Gardner is looking to replicate last year's numbers. But neither of them are in the No. 1 spot for @MattVerderame's cornerback rankings 🥇 https://t.co/3ftYHWemsu

— The MMQB (@theMMQB) June 6, 2023

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READ Sports Illustrated's Special Sauce Issue Features Jets' Cornerback on Cover

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When it comes to Gardner's game, Jets' general manager Joe Douglas offered an accurate description shortly after drafting the shutdown cornerback at No. 4 overall last spring.

"Sauce can do everything. He can play zone, he can play man, he can win in crunch time, he can run with the fastest guys, he can defend the biggest guys. He’s elite and really fortunate that we got him at four," said Douglas.

READ MORE:

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2022 Draft Review: Sauce Gardner Talked Talk, Walked Walk

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